Even if Iconoclasts is not the definition of perfection in gameplay mechanisms and it is not the best Metroidvania game ever, its overall quality and mainly its soul leave no room for further questions. It is a game you ought to try.

Tales From The Borderlands ends its season on an absolute, marvelously cheeky, high note. The epic Vault Guardian battle at the heart of the story not only showcases a brilliant twist in Telltale's "traditional" formula, but also playfully trumps long-time Borderlands fans expectations.

Oddworld New'n'Tasty is the best remake of a game I have played so far, a true testament to the love and respect the devs of Just Add Water have for the original Abe's Oddysee. Even old Oddworld fans will find themselves amazed by the stunning visuals and the general redesign the title offers. A must-buy.

Adding a new companion, more quests and around 15 hours of extra content, Void Shadows is an ideal opportunity both for players discouraged by bugs in the original release to finally check out Rogue Trader, as well as for returning players that seek even more adventures in the Koronus Expanse.

Lacuna is undoubtedly a candidate for one of the best indie of the year. With a very elaborate and clever script, memorable characters, several political extensions, intrigues, and many ethical questions, it will remain etched in your memory for a long time.

Rise of the Tomb Raider is a well-made and enjoyable action/adventure and definitely one of the top games of the year. On the other hand, it takes no real risks and does little to innovate, something that needs to be reconsidered on the next sequel.

Diablo IV runs as a grimdark, stylistic overhaul on the chassis of Diablo III. Highly addictive, grandiose in its objectives, with a satisfying length even for those who don't want to be bothered with the lackluster endgame. As it seems so far, the game systems have some solid foundation, but they haven't been polished giving the impression that the game was rushed out. As it stands now, we are unable to recommend it for its campaign alone for full price, although it is an addictive title for the duration of the honeymoon period.

The fantasy setting of Warhammer provides the perfect canvas for the mass-scale battles of the Total War series. While very approachable to potential new players, it will appease the demands of seasoned veterans. Creative Assembly has managed to capture the essence of Warhammer and transfers its epic feel in their best iteration of the Total War series, yet. All this has been delivered in a stellar performance-optimized package. It's a title which should not be missed.

An unconventional game from an unconventional creator who largely succeeds at what he is attempting.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a fun and easy to play action/platform, that will give you several hours of "pure" entertainment. If the performance issues were missing, things would be even better.

While Binding of Isaac is a good contender for the Indie Game of 2014 title, it surely is the best roguelike game of our generation. Edmund McMillen unravels and dedicates his creative genius in bringing a remake of a game full of meaningful additions and improvements on gameplay. BoIR provides a golden standard on how games should be remade and/or improved. Whether you are a gamer who seeks small half-an-hour shots of gaming or a crazed achievement completionist, you'll have a hell of time (and it will be a lot) playing Rebirth. Get it now.

In the mind-boggling question that tortures world's biggest gaming studios (how to refresh the competitive FPS genre), Respawn answers by taking the Call of Duty core, enhancing it with elements from various sources and franchises (Mech games, Crysis , Tribes, Mirror's Edge etc.) and forging it in the Old School mold (Quake/Unreal Tournament) . Titanfall does not innovate. It manages, however, to leave a fresh taste by balancing nicely all components of its gameplay.

Gears of War 4 is a worthy successor to the series and an enjoyable game overall, especially if you are fan of blistering and intense action games. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, it plays mainly into the "safe" net that was built by Epic Games, but for PC users who couldn't play any of the latest games of the franchise, GOW 4 is a great opportunity to find out about it.

Destruction, gore and desolation. Take up the mantle of Therion, an alter-Metabaron/Space Marine-combined and spread the word of heavy metal amongst the corpses. How much heavy metal do you ask? Enriched uranium heavy!

An excellently paced murder mystery where everything hinges on careful evaluation of clues and information received. Viva Seifert's strong performance and the simple yet addictive core mechanic of researching new leads, help make Her Story one that you're not bound to forget anytime soon.

Dishonored 2 is every bit as good as its acclaimed predecessor and a landmark game of our generation. A true diamond in the rough, tarnished by its lack of optimization.

Certainly not the boldest or most comprehensive remaster one could wish for, but still an ideal way for both newcomers and veterans alike to experience the epic journey that is the original Mass Effect trilogy in 2021.

Wolfenstein II is the new reference point for blockbuster single-player narrative in the FPS genre. Despite its small technical hiccups it improves the gameplay elements of its predecessor, features an over-the-top story which will keep you constantly on edge. Bigger, badder, better is the only way we can describe it.

Nioh 2 is more about refining its core gameplay than making radical changes. By adding extra layers of depth to its well-tempered mechanics, it offers a high-quality Action-RPG which retains its unique identity, despite some technical issues. Last but not least, it's a more inviting experience this time around, but as it happens with all Souls-like games, player's commitment is mandatory to progress.

Keeping its solid mechanics intact, improving multiplayer and offering 8 factions out of the gate, Warhammer III provides a complete offering on the most advanced forms of the Total War series.

Congratulations to Codemasters for succeeding to deliver its best F1 simulator so far and one of the most integrated F1 experiences we have ever witnessed. It certainly raises the bar for the games of the genre to come.

Housemarque's first attempt at something bigger was an almost complete success. If you are a fan of roguelites you ought to try Returnal.

Mimimi Games delivers a stellar benchmark for the titles to come both in terms of gameplay cohesion and storytelling in the Far West. Brilliant map design, character synergies and a long-term support plan promise to keep you engaged for more than the initial 25 hours to completion. Make sure to check it out. Probably the RTS of 2020.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a very good choice for anyone who wants a fast-paced action game with plenty of exploration and platforming elements. It's not perfect, but it's fun and perfectly capable of keeping you interested in for the 9-10 hours or so that it lasts.

Respawn combined their prowess in the FPS genre with the good parts of the first Titanfall, greatly improved upon them and released a monumental online shooter, re-defining the genre yet again. The non-stop action of the multiplayer matches is unparalleled, while the Campaign is cinematic, stirs emotion and the only downside is its short duration. Lest we forget, all future multiplayer maps will be free for everyone, keeping the community unified and not splitting it, like we were used to with all the Season Passes that came before.

An excellent Metroidvania game, that aptly combines the best elements of the genre with quite increased difficulty.

The drastic redesign of the tactics screen, a host of useful changes and the improved match engine result in the best Football Manager yet and an essential purchase.

This time Tim Schafer and Double Fine Productions did exactly what needed to be done. They carefully improved and modernized the visual and sound aspects, as well as the interface, of an exceptionally well-designed game, left its other elements untouched, just like they should do, and successfully gave a new breath of life to this beloved adventure game.

Undoubtedly, AC: Odyssey as a game has quite a few issues: bad AI, the strangulation of the player with hundreds of missions and missed opportunities on the RPG level. But it does something also very important: it includes a huge and impressive world, capturing successfully the Ancient Greece aesthetic and it manages to be truly entertaining and unimaginably addictive.

An incredibly ambitious game, an Ark of Everything Cyberpunk and an excellent RPG and Immersive Sim, with technical and AI-related shortcomings that prevent it from fully realizing the disproportionately great expectations it has generated in the 8 years since its original announcement.

Cairn is bringing back the original spirit of indie games about being innovative and thinking outside the box. With a simple gameplay manages to hook up players and suck them into his slow-paced world.

It's football with cars wrapped up as a well-designed, thrilling and addictive game. With its precise controls, it's easy to learn but hard to master. Everyone will have a lot of fun but the multiplayer, preferably with friends, is where it truly shines.

Cities: Skylines is everything we expected but never got from the Simcity series. Craving for a city sim resulted in ignoring the faults and shortages of the latter, something that is emphasized by Skylines' brilliance. The game shines with an extreme attention to detail spanning from macro to micromanagement and provides huge space where you can build your city.

Impressive, more accessible than its predecessors, but at the same time quite deep and with exciting gameplay mechanics. Arc Systems Works has done it again.

Wasteland 3 is an incredibly fun game and a damn good RPG, that pays a fitting tribute to the legacy of Interplay's Fallout games and, through them, to Brian Fargo's first Wasteland game, which originally set the standards for our post-apocalyptic journeys back in 1988.

The first Legend of Grimrock managed to pay homage to the forefathers of its genre, while being free of the shortcomings that often plague retro productions. Its successor, following the same footsteps has managed to expand this successful core towards new directions. It is bigger, technically superior and it offers deeper gameplay. Nevertheless, if you aren't familiar with grid based gameplay, try it out yourselves prior to purchasing it.

Huge amount of content, many possible choices with distinct consequences, reappearance of beloved characters... Despite some obvious flaws and various shortcomings, Dragon Age: Inquisition certainly feels like a step in the right direction for the series.

Blazblue: ChronoPhantasma Extend is an exquisite fighting game, complete in every aspect, very addictive, challenging and fun. Definitely a recommendation for fans of the genre.

Maybe not the ultimate sci-fi game we were hoping for before launch, but Starfield has a lot to offer to both sci-fi fans and fans of Bethesda's games.

An impressive and highly unique RPG, as well as the most comprehensive "Disco Elysium Clone" we have seen to date.

Final Fantasy XV made the long wait worthwhile and it is a very pleasant entry to the series. Gameplay is as challenging as needed, visuals and sound reach a high level, as opposed to its main story, which without being bad, it suffers from poor presentation.

DOOM: The Dark Ages offers a solid prequel of the Slayer saga, while being bold and experimental. However, this experimentation strays away from DOOM 2016's formula, which may alienate FPS-purists even more than Eternal did.

Cold, bleak and unforgiving, just like its predecessor. It may stray even further from the "traditional" City Builders genre, but when experiencing what it has to offer, Frostpunk 2 is in many ways the ideal sequel.

Huntdown is a great example of intense old-fashioned action and bad one-liners, it just has the flaw to last as long as a single shot. Tasteful, but short.

A deep, paranormal-based, story, solid gameplay with only minor flaws, Control marks the return of Remedy to high quality games.

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is the prince's sweet kiss on a beautiful sub-genre which has been sleeping for far too long. A revitalising effort which should be supported whole-heartedly.

Shovel Knight is really a unique game that appeals, without fear and full of passion, both to new players and to the old retro games lovers.

The scenario and atmosphere are Silent Hill f's biggest merits and will draw you in without you even realizing it. The revamped combat system works well, without any major flaws, but the same couldn't be said about some vague puzzles and the limited inventory space that had us visit the Hokora Shrines frequently. Nevertheless, it leaves a positive impression as the series' return after so many years and makes us optimistic about its future.

Valkyria Chronicles is a good strategy/RPG that blends different gameplay elements together with an enjoyable outcome. Its story wraps up themes about war, friendship and racism, while its comic-style graphics age well, and its music is memorable. SEGA also delivers a decent port with all previously DLC included.

There's certainly no debate about whether Football Manager 2022 is worth the money, that's self-evident for a game that offers thousands of hours of gameplay, but you won't be missing out majorly if you continue with FM 2021.

STASIS: BONE TOTEM delivers what it promises and will satisfy any horror fan who will consciously choose it for its story and atmosphere, knowing that it has some demands from him in terms of reading dedication.

An off-the-rails masterclass in anarchic puzzle platforming and the undisputed genre king on the PC at the time of this writing.

Dragonball FighterZ achieves its goal of being accessible and entertaining to everyone, while retaining its own personality and a near never-ending depth of a pure fighting title. If you like fighting games just a bit, Dragonball FighterZ should be in a prominent position for your next purchases.

The Alters is a unique game that may not be for everyone but if it clicks for you, it will stay in your mind for a very long time.

There are very few new features in this year's Football Manager but the game's match engine is the star of the show. The graphical upgrade is slight but numerous improvements in AI and animation make the beautiful game more beautiful than ever before.

CA took a huge gamble with its latest release and it really paid off. Three Kingdoms offers a very polished campaign with a strong narrative and robust diplomacy and espionage systems. Together with the immersive management of faction characters, the series are steering towards deeper micromanagement and a more challenging and deeply immersive experience. Romance mode might not be everyone's cup of tea but there are also other options for the more historically inclined fans.

With a script that could have easily come from the haunted pen of H.P. Lovecraft, a haunting, minimalist string soundtrack by Carlos Viola and a genuine understanding of what constitutes true, primal terror, The Game Kitchen brilliantly concludes The Last Door’s narrative with an adventure that will richly reward players looking past the ultra-retro presentation.

Addictive and compelling beyond all reason, belief or expectation. Thronebreaker is an epic RPG-Puzzle game hybrid that completely immerses and enthralls, thanks to its impeccable art direction and attention to detail.

Prince of Persia The Lost Crown is, perhaps surprisingly, a quality game from Ubisoft, which is highly recommended to all fans of the metroidvania sub-genre, but also to those who love the series. Sure, it's challenging as a game, which may put off a portion of players, but it's fun, clever, and at times, magical.

Doom is hands-down one of the best FPS in years. Obviously, it will bring no revolution, as its grandfathers did 20+ years ago, but it doesn't blush with shame carrying such a grandiose title and it is surely a worthy heir of the series.

Shadow of Mordor is more than a decent game that will be appreciated by most gamers, while die-hard Tolkien fans will have one more reason to love it.

Planet Coaster is the best and the most complete RollerCoaster Tycoon we have ever seen. Simple as that.

Bard's Tate 4: Director's Cut winks at you with meaning while telling an "innocent" joke or making a dad pun. It takes you on a journey to lakes of mist over the sea of Orkney islands with its music. But most important of all, it reminds you what videogames should be all about. Damn fun.

A quality game and a worthy spin-off of the Yakuza series that offers many hours of fun, although it could have been even better with a couple of tweaks.

Quite possibly Telltale's single funniest, most enjoyable game to date. It will remind you of Full Throttle, Space Quest and every single anti-hero you ever grew up with. Regardless of your opinion of the Borderlands universe, this is an unmissable ride into the sheer, exuberant joy of setting the world on fire and getting away with it all.

Field of Glory II, coming from strategy powerhouse publisher Slitherine and Byzantine Games, offers what is to be expected. A digitized version of the tabletop version, offering pleasing visuals, automated calculations and dice rolls and an asynchronous multiplayer mode, on top of plenty historical battles and a campaign mode. Those that are not familiar with those surroundings will find themselves in a non-streamlined, hardcore turn based tabletop simulator, that requires many hours of study to make sense.

A highly aesthetic board game is transferred to our screens. If you want a tranquil, feelgood experience to pass your time, you just found your next investment.

A gorgeous surrealist trip masquerading as a puzzle game and a soulful meditation on the true troubles of mankind, wrapped up in Jason Roberts’ evocative artwork, Gorogoa speaks directly to an inner child that you believed long gone. Essential.

Darkest Dungeon is one of the most intense and immersive games out there. A product of creative genius and flawless design, it delivers, with simplistic perfection, a difficult yet addictive experience.

A beautifully written, masterfully designed choose-your-own-adventure/Grand Journey yarn, that Verne himself would have been most proud of.

Frostpunk is a very unique and atmospheric survival experience that manages to make us reflect on aspects of our very selves and the society we live in, even though this is not quite achieved with the variety we would expect from a City-Builder game or the deep personal connection that This War of Mine managed to forge.

A few match engine issues, hopefully easily resolvable, somewhat tarnish an otherwise excellent version of Sports Interactive's iconic management series.

Housemarque's new proposal glorifies the motto "simple idea"-"great execution", so if you wish for a stunning twin-stick shooter that will turn off your mind and will sharpen your reflexes, Nex Machina should be one of your first choices. If online co-op option is added in the future, then it will be hard to find reasons for not getting it.

Streets of Rage 4 is a great sequel and an excellent addition to your game collection, whether you're an old fan of the genre or you just want a beat' em up game to have a good time. It may not thrill you much if you are not so fond of side-scrolling beat' em ups, but it is guaranteed to offer you many hours of pure fun, especially in the co-op mode.

Stellar Blade may not be remembered as a genre-defining title, but on the other hand it's a game with enough quality content to keep you occupied for hours. The package includes a very well crafted combat system and a sense of discovery which is supported by level design that has been painstakingly put together.

If you're looking for an explosive, fun and challenging hack 'n' slash/platformer, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound will not disappoint.

A strong and marked improvement over The Showstopper, Sapienza begins to irrefutably prove Io Interactive’s vision for its episodic release model of the latest incarnation of Hitman. Offering an absolute wealth of possibilities, Sapienza is made to be replayed time and again in order to discover every single one of the creative and imaginative murder methods available.

TMNT: Shredder's Revenge is a beat 'em up that delivers exactly what it promises. Although its content is a bit poor, it offers great doses of pure fun, especially in multiplayer mode, and is a first-rate title for those who want to throw a few quick punches. Cowabanga dudes!

A fun action RPG and a good introduction to Final Fantasy, just as long as you have a beefy system to run it.

Tales of Arise is a strong addition to the "Tales of..." series that will surely satisfy those looking for a worthwhile JRPG experience. However, we must point out the timidity shown in not innovating and limiting itself to a standard scenario and a predictable structure. Perhaps that's why people love the series: because they know what to expect. So, if you do too, feel free to invest in Tales of Arise.

The structural and technical gameplay elements of Vessel of Hatred are improved across the board and work well as redeeming features for a disastrous, hot mess campaign plot.

It hardly innovates at all, but Lost Judgment is still a very fun and addictive Yakuza-style game that can keep you busy for hours.

Metroidvania at its best: big map, well-hidden secrets, intense fighting mechanisms, demanding platforming and really a lot of chickens.

Another quality horror title from Frictional Games. The foreboding atmosphere, a coherent and well-designed world, a plot that ponders the meaning of existence and the superb sound design all come together to form a uniquely memorable experience.

Managing to remedy virtually every single flaw one could find in the series' first game, The Division 2 is the greatest possible sequel we could have hoped for, and quite possibly the best "Looter Shooter" game out there at the moment.

Salt and Sanctuary is a wonderful and honest tribute to Souls series. With great mechanics, a well designed dark world and dozens of hours of fun is a great game for every Dark Souls player.

NieR: Automata is a top quality, intelligent and unique ARPG, that you may spend many exciting hours on it, even if some game design choices are obstacles from reaching a masterpiece status. If Square Enix finally decides to correct its hideous technical issues, then it is a must-buy.

An excellent remake of a classic adventure game, it will capture the interest of both newcomers to the genre and fans of the original game. We couldn't think of a better "appetizer" leading up to the release of Broken Sword 6.

With substantial gameplay improvements but also some flaws compared to the first Darkside Detective, the second game in the series remains an adventure that would have made a splash if it had been released in 1994.

Labelling Nioh as "another Dark Souls clone", just doesn't do it justice. The Complete Edition is a package brimming with content, challenging gameplay, deep combat mechanics, Diablo-like looting and a fun crafting system to boot. It does not stick to its peers' blueprint, but it endeavours to evolve in a different beast, and for the most part, succeeds.

Combining solid hack 'n' slash gameplay mechanisms and unique metagaming elements, Icey is one of the most remarkable indie action games out there.

This remastered version does not fully satisfy our desire for a proper comeback of Manny Calavera, nor is worthy of a myth like Grim Fandango. At least it gives us the opportunity to re-live an unforgettable journey in the Land of the Dead, filled with intrigue, suspense and memorable characters.

Definitive Edition manages to upgrade the all-time classic that was Age of Empires II while still respecting its original version, making the whole experience feel like a whole new game that also manages to wake up memories from the old times.

A stylistic and narrative triumph, Thimbleweed Park not only succeeds in being the natural successor to Maniac Mansion and Day of the Tentacle but will go down in adventure game history as one of the finest examples of the genre ever made.

Fallout 4 stands out admirably as a generic (but still fun) Open-World/Sandbox game in a Post-Apocalyptic setting. It's the "Fallout" and "RPG" elements in it that are found quite lacking, with over-simplified Skill and Dialogue systems, shallow quest design, and almost no meaningful choices/consequences whatsoever.

The Drifter is another adventure of merit, a "must play" for every fan of the genre. Especially those who have a soft spot for thrillers and the atmosphere of old horror movies will probably love it a little more.

FIFA 17 delivers a nice touch with the new single-player mode “The Journey”. The switch to the Frostbite engine makes the game the most complete and beautiful sports-sim in the PC platform at the moment. However, we do feel EA Sports missed a few chances solving some persistent buggy behaviors (eg. player collisions).

An outstandingly paced and flawlessly executed finale to one of the most memorable game settings of all time and space.